The cannabis industry spent over $7 million lobbying the Colorado state legislature from 2010-2021, with 11% from out-of-state clients and 48% of lobbyist reports not disclosing their funder's cannabis affiliation.
Cannabis policy researchers; public health advocates; legislators; journalists covering cannabis regulation.
48% of lobbying reports did not disclose cannabis industry affiliation
What the researchers found
Cannabis industry spent $7M+ (inflation-adjusted) lobbying on 367 bills. 11% ($800K+) came from out-of-state clients. In 48% of reports, lobbyists did not disclose their funder's cannabis connection. Some lobbyists simultaneously represented alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis industries.
Why it matters
As cannabis becomes a major industry, understanding its political influence is essential for public health. The lack of disclosure transparency and cross-industry lobbying relationships raise concerns about whether cannabis regulation prioritizes public health or industry profits.
The numbers in context
$7M+ total lobbying (inflation-adjusted). 367 bills lobbied. $800K+ (11%) from out-of-state. 48% of reports did not disclose cannabis affiliation. Lobbyists represented alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis concurrently.
How the study worked
Retrospective analysis of publicly available Colorado lobbying expenditure data from FY 2010-2021. Supplemented with business license documentation, legislative histories, and public testimony. Inflation-adjusted expenditures tracked by funder, lobbyist, and origin.
What this study cannot tell us
Colorado-specific findings may not generalize to other states. Lobbying expenditure data captures only formal lobbying, not other forms of political influence. The study could not directly measure the impact of lobbying on legislative outcomes.
How to read the evidence
Moderate: systematic analysis of public records over 12 years, though limited to formal lobbying data in one state.
When this study was published
Published in 2022, covering FY 2010-2021.
The bigger picture
The parallels to tobacco and alcohol industry lobbying are striking. The finding that lobbyists simultaneously represented all three industries suggests potential coordination to create favorable regulatory environments across addictive substances.
Questions still open
- How does cannabis lobbying spending compare across states? Has industry lobbying measurably weakened public health protections? Should cross-industry lobbying relationships be disclosed and regulated?
Common questions
Does the cannabis industry influence legislation?
Why does it matter that lobbyists represent multiple industries?
Read the original research
Cannabis industry lobbying in the Colorado state legislature in fiscal years 2010-2021.
The International journal on drug policy, 102, 103585
Citation
Rotering, Thomas; Apollonio, Dorie E. (2022). Cannabis industry lobbying in the Colorado state legislature in fiscal years 2010-2021.. The International journal on drug policy, 102, 103585. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2022.103585